English Profile

fly · verb

/flɑɪ/Full view

fly (TRAVEL)

A1 I to travel through the air in an aircraft

Dictionary examples:

I'm flying to Mumbai tomorrow.

We fly out of Kennedy, but fly back into Newark.

Learner example:

I'm flying to Poland with my daughter. (Skills for Life (Entry 2); A2; Polish)

fly (MOVE THROUGH AIR)

A2 I When a bird, insect or aircraft flies, it moves through the air.

Dictionary examples:

The plane was flying at 5000 feet.

The poor bird couldn't fly because it had a broken wing.

As soon as it saw us, the bird flew away/off.

Learner example:

The birds fly [i]n the sky. (Skills for Life (Entry 2); A2; Mandarin)

fly (CONTROL AIRCRAFT)

B2 I or T to control an aircraft or other vehicle in air or space

Dictionary example:

She learned to fly at the age of 18.

Learner example:

Louise, you are the only one who can fly this spaceship now. (First Certificate in English; B2; German)

with flying colors

C1 with a very high score or with great success

Dictionary example:

He passed the exam with flying colors.

Learner example:

Thr[o]u[gh] this, he was able to get his college degree and graduated with flying colors. (International English Language Testing System; C1; Tagalog)

fly (TIME)

C2 I If time flies, it passes very quickly.

Dictionary example:

There was plenty to do, and the time flew.

Learner example:

But you have to enjoy it because time flies, and you will be old before you know it! (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Greek)

fly (TAKE/SEND)

C2 T to take or send people or goods somewhere by aircraft

Dictionary example:

She was flown to the hospital by helicopter.

Learner example:

All supplies are flown in daily from Paris in order to ensure the highest quality available. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Swedish)

fly in the face of

C2 to be the opposite of what is usual or accepted

Dictionary example:

These recommendations fly in the face of previous advice on safe limits of consumption.

Learner example:

But when we have a look outside our wonderful world, we can easily see that this argument flies in the face of the facts. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; French)

fly · noun C

/flɑɪ/

fly

B1 a small insect with two wings

Dictionary example:

There were a lot of flies around.

Learner example:

In the afternoon we were just lying like dead flies on our beds. (First Certificate in English; B2; German)